Hoboken blogger apologizes for Nazi graphic, 'condemned' by National Jewish Democratic Council

With permission of Nancy PincusHoboken blogger and Zoning Board member Nancy Pincus issued this image in response to attacks on Nazi propaganda-inspired images featuring two City Council members on her blog Grafix Avenger.

Hoboken blogger and city Zoning Board member Nancy Pincus, the subject of a growing Internet-based controversy, is now apologizing for a Nazi propaganda-inspired graphic featured on her blog Grafix Avenger.

Inspired by the 1930s Nazi propaganda film "Triumph des Willens" or "Triumph of the Will," the graphic features an image of Second Ward Councilwoman Beth Mason wearing Tim Occhipinti, winner of the Nov. 2 race for the 4th Ward City Council seat, as a pendant around her neck. The words "Triumph des Shillens" appear below the image in the same font style as the 1935 film poster.

The intent, Pincus said, was to portray Occhipinti as a shill or a political decoy for Mason in response to his win in the Nov. 2 special elections. Pincus was an ardent supporter of incumbent Mike Lenz who ran on Mayor Dawn Zimmer's slogan.

Lane Bajardi, a vocal opponent of "Team Zimmer" and Pincus, presented the original film poster and Pincus' image side by side during the public portion of Monday night's City Council meeting.

"Are you prepared to condemn this kind of fascist attack on your colleagues?" Bajardi asked the council.

In response, third Ward Councilman Michael Russo asked Corporation Council Mark Tabakin for a "full briefing on how the council can remove her from the zoning board" for the act. Tabakin agreed to look into the matter with a warning that first amendment rights could protect Pincus from being unseated.

With permission of Nancy PincusThe original image was posted by Pincus on Nov. 3 which she says will soon be removed.

"We did not enter this on a political level," said Larry Stempler, a member of the NJDC's Board of Directors. Stempler is also a personal friend and financial supporter of Mason's 2008 mayoral campaign.

"It has to do with the quality of the speech, not who I know," he said.

A Jew and relative of Holocaust victims herself, Pincus said the condemnation from the NJDC and council members is all part of a conspiracy on the part of the new council majority to have her thrown off the zoning board before her term is up in January 2013.

"The irony is he (Bajardi) brought me a whole new audience," she said. "It's amazing. He doubled my traffic overnight."

This morning, Pincus vowed to fight the allegations and even to demand an apology from the NJDC.

Following a conversation with Etzion Neuer, regional director for the New Jersey Anti-Defamation League, Pincus said later that she realized how her graphic may have caused offense and agreed to issue a letter of apology at Neuer's request.

"I welcomed and accepted Ms. Pincus' apology and from our conversation, it appears she understands why the incident was hurtful," said Neuer.

Neuer said he first heard about the graphic through Mason who pointed out it out to him last week before Bajardi's presentation before the council.

"I am genuinely sorry," Pincus said this afternoon. "I did not mean to hurt anyone who's genuine. I'm not talking about the political operatives."

Mason did not respond to several calls for comment.

Pincus said that she will be removing the graphics in question from her blog.